St Magnus’ Way

1 week pilgrimages, Scotland

St Magnus’ Way – 51 miles – 5 days – Egilsey to St Magnus’ Cathedral. A pilgrimage route through Mainland Orkney, inspired by the life and death of Magnus, Orkney’s patron saint. It follows the route of Magnus’ body when his mother pleaded for it to be returned from Egilsay for a Christian burial in Birsay. Around twenty years later his bones were taken to Kirkwall, and the route follows this from Birsay, through Dounby to Finstown. From there he was likely taken by sea to Kirwall, so it then heads up over Lyradale to Orphir, reflecting on Haakon’s penitent pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Round Kirk he built on return. Then around Scapa Flow to Kirkwall, and finally the Cathedral that bears his name.